Outlook 365 now comes with built in email encryption. Below are instructions for how to encrypt emails.

 Should you have any questions or concerns with the instructions, please notify the Technology Service Center for assistance. 

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Encrypting New Emails in Outlook 365

Step 1

To encrypt a new email in Outlook 365 first select "New Email".

Step 2

Select the "Options" tab and then click the drop down menu next to "Encrypt" to view the different options.

Step 3

There are four options to choose from.

1. Encrypt-Only will encrypt the email and nothing else.

2. Do Not Forward will encrypt the email and prevent the email from being forwarded to other users.

3. Howard Community College - Confidential will encrypt the email but prevent it from being shared to external recipients. This option allows editing of the email but the email cannot be printed or copied.

4. Howard Community College - Confidential View Only will encrypt the email but prevent it from being shared to external recipients. This option does not allow editing, printing, or copying of the email.

Step 4

Once an option is selected, you'll receive a message at the top of your email confirming which option you selected. From there you'll be able to send your email.

Encrypting Email Replies in Outlook 365

Step 1

To encrypt a reply to an email you'll first need to double click the email to pop out the message.

Step 2

With the email popped out, click on the "File" tab.

Step 3

Select the "Encrypt" tab and then choose one of the encryption options.

Step 4

Once an option is selected, your reply will be encrypted. You can then select the "Back" button to go back to your email.

Encrypting New Emails in Online Outlook (outlook.office365.com)

Step 1

To encrypt a new email in Online Outlook select "New Email" and then select "Encrypt".

Step 2

You will receive a message saying the email is encrypted. To change the permissions, select "Change permissions". To remove encryption, select "Remove encryption".

Step 3

There are four permission options to choose from.

1. Encrypt-Only will encrypt the email and nothing else.

2. Do Not Forward will encrypt the email and prevent the email from being forwarded to other users.

3. Howard Community College - Confidential will encrypt the email but prevent it from being shared to external recipients. This option allows editing of the email but the email cannot be printed or copied.

4. Howard Community College - Confidential View Only will encrypt the email but prevent it from being shared to external recipients. This option does not allow editing, printing, or copying of the email.

Step 4

Once satisfied with the chosen permission, select "OK".

Step 5

You can now send your encrypted email.

Encrypting Email Replies in Online Outlook (outlook.office365.com)

Step 1

To encrypt a reply to an email you'll first need to double click the email to pop out the message.

Step 2

Select the down arrow and choose one of the reply options.

Step 3

From here you should see the encrypt button.

Step 4

You will receive a message saying the email is encrypted. To change the permissions, select "Change permissions". To remove encryption, select "Remove encryption".

Step 5

There are four permission options to choose from.

1. Encrypt-Only will encrypt the email and nothing else.

2. Do Not Forward will encrypt the email and prevent the email from being forwarded to other users.

3. Howard Community College - Confidential will encrypt the email but prevent it from being shared to external recipients. This option allows editing of the email but the email cannot be printed or copied.

4. Howard Community College - Confidential View Only will encrypt the email but prevent it from being shared to external recipients. This option does not allow editing, printing, or copying of the email.

Step 6

Once satisfied with the chosen permission, select "OK".

Step 7

You can now send your encrypted email.

Reading Encrypted Emails

Outlook 365 automatically unencrypts emails for you. Therefore, you will be able to read the email without needing to do any extra steps.

Below is an example of an encrypted email that was sent and what the receiver will see.